PLAT DU JOUR: MARINATED UNI

MARINATED UNI

>> watermelon snow with balsamico, lime gelee

IKES!

What a grand idea! After weeks of having very few people in the dining room, a norm for this back-to-school time of the year, and trying to re-coop from a half's week of being closed for the storm, we decided to throw a 1/2 off wine night. What a successful evening! Am thinking of doing one once a month (to be announced via blog). The best part was not only breaking even for the premature closing, but also seeing patrons ordering bottles on the list that they admittedly would not have ordered due to the price.

The wine of choice for the evening? L'Aventure's 2002 Optimus. What a great one! About a year ago, Christopher and I visited Paso Robles with some patrons/close friends and had the opportunity to not only meet the winemaker, Stephan Asseo, himself, but also get to try some samples from barrels that had yet to be bottled. (www.aventurewine.com)

(SEE PIC BELOW)

PLAT DU JOUR: WHITE TUNA SASHIMI

WHITE TUNA SASHIMI

>> cucumber, jicama & cilantro, radish, lime vinaigrette, wonton

SUPPORT LOCAL: SUSHIBAR

(sushibar.tv)

When Dave approached us about two years ago, ready to make a move, we were stoked!

Christopher met Dave years ago when he was waiting tables at another restaurant in town. Even though he didn't take his offer to come on board in our dining room, they remained acquaintances, and have since become great friends. Dave's venture, Sushibar, is the first of many Koncepts (as he calls them) from the mastermind and his team of creatives. At any given moment, Dave will pull out his black book on you and frantically scribble another idea - just you wait.

Shortly after opening, we put out Sushibar's cards by the register - We actually had a patron complain that we were supporting our "competition". Tiss, tiss. Silly, silly.

(Bottom pictures are of Zin Theory Julianna, their newest addition. I've already got dibs on their second born, sorry...hi Julie!)

SPANISH WINE DINNER

So this picture was taken after the Great Mac Crash of 2008, which means it wasn't on file (always back-up, people!). Anyways, you get the drift; now here's the menu, since it's hardly legible:

GRILLED GULF SHRIMP
>> pickled anaheim chili, napa cabbage & avocado sauce, creamy mustard dressing
Martin Codax 2006 Albarino (Rias Baixas)

ROASTED LING
>> mung beans, bacon, spinach, grilled lemon sauce
Raimat 2005 Unoaked Chardonnay (Costers Del Segre)

BRAISED BEEF CHEEK
>> veal sweetbreads, cauliflower puree, parsley oil
Torres 2006 Celeste Tempranillo (Ribera del Duero)

MIXED SUMMER BERRIES
>> lemon pound cake, cilantro ice cream, poppy seed-honey tuile
Coffee service